Andrey Rublev once again made an anti-war stance publicly by writing 'Peace' three times on the camera after his win over Medvedev.
The gesture went viral on the internet viewed all around the world and that is the whole point of making such a public stance, the impact of it. Rublev has made efforts like this in the past becoming the first Russian player to publicly call for peace back when it all began many months ago.
Asked about it, after the match, he said:
"Not much to say. I think I did already many statement this year. I don’t know, I had an opportunity. I did what I feel. I didn’t even had an idea or something in my head before, just came natural, that’s it."
He added that it's important to have peace, everywhere:
“I think it’s important, especially in our time, like I was saying many times, to have peace. We have internet. We have easy life. We can fly, travel, do sports, take care of the family. No one wants to suffer or struggle. I think it was already many, many years ago. I don’t think that we need to. Many countries are suffering, and that’s it. That’s why I think it’s important to be together and have peace.”
He was also asked whether he was concerned about speaking out about it, he said:
“I don’t know. I mean, like I said, I did what I feel. During the year I think I did many statements already. There is not much I can say something new. I think I did already many statements, very clear. Today I did what I feel. I don’t know. It comes natural. I don’t know. Both of us from the same country. I don’t know, just feel this way, and that’s it.”